There was a time back in the late 1930s and early 1940s when Joe Louis defended his world heavyweight title so frequently and so successfully that the media coined the phrase ‘Bum of the Month Club.’
It was a not-too-flattering way to describe the succession of fighters dispatched by Louis.
As we travel back in time to this day, December 16, in 1940, it's time to take a look at one of the 13 fights from the ‘Bum of the Month’ period - Boston's first-ever heavyweight title fight between Louis and local favourite Al McCoy.
Remembering Joe Louis
Joe Louis, nicknamed ‘The Brown Bomber,’ is regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight champions in boxing history.
He held the world heavyweight title for an unprecedented 11 years 10 months, from 1937 to 1949, defending it 25 times.
Louis was not just a boxer; he was a cultural icon and a symbol of hope for many during the Great Depression and World War II.
His smooth, precise fighting style combined with devastating power made him nearly unbeatable in his prime.
Who was Al McCoy?
Al McCoy was a relatively unknown contender from New England, who earned his shot at Joe Louis on December 16, 1940.
With a respectable but unspectacular record, McCoy was one of many fighters trying to make a name for himself by stepping into the ring with the champion.
Despite the mismatch - McCoy reportedly spent most of the fight trying to stay out of Louis’ way - he became a notable part of boxing history for participating in Boston's first-ever heavyweight title fight.
Bum of the Month Club
The ‘Bum of the Month Club’ became a media term to describe Louis's frequent and dominant defences of his title against lower-ranked or less threatening opponents.
From 1939 to 1941, Louis fought 13 times, knocking out 11 challengers. While the phrase might seem dismissive, it was a testament to Louis's dominance and the difficulty of finding challengers who could truly test him.
The reality was that Louis was systematically clearing out an entire division during his reign.
Aside from McCoy, some of the other fighters to face Louis in this period include 'Two Ton' Tony Galento, Tony 'Baby Tank' Musto, Gus Dorazio and Arturo Godoy.
Despite the derogatory nickname, most of the fighters he faced were top-ten ranked boxers.
The Louis v. McCoy fight
The fight took place at the Boston Garden on December 16, 1940. True to form, Joe Louis defeated Al McCoy in just six rounds via knockout.
Louis's precision and power proved too much for McCoy, who, like many others, couldn’t match the champion's skill level. It was a historic night for Boston boxing fans, though it played out as expected for most observers of Louis's career at the time.
What Happened to McCoy?
Following his loss to Louis, McCoy continued to fight but never reached the heights of the heavyweight division again.
He faded into relative obscurity, his career overshadowed by his role in the "Bum of the Month Club". However, his contribution to Boston boxing history remains significant as a participant in the city's first heavyweight title fight.
Joe Louis’s reign and the "Bum of the Month Club" era remain a testament to his unparalleled dominance in boxing history.
Al McCoy's story, like so many others, serves as a reminder of the depth of the heavyweight division during that period and the extraordinary challenge of dethroning ‘The Brown Bomber’.
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